Air India has issued a firm denial of accusations alleging the airline coerced the families of the AI-171 accident victims into declaring their financial reliance on the deceased, purportedly to diminish compensation payouts. The airline characterized these claims as ‘unsubstantiated and inaccurate.’ The controversy emerged following reports that some bereaved families were being pressured to reveal their financial ties to the deceased as a prerequisite for receiving compensation. Air India clarified that the request for such information is a standard procedure designed to ensure that interim compensation reaches the rightful beneficiaries swiftly. They emphasized their efforts to expedite interim compensation payments to meet the immediate financial needs of affected families, with the first payments made shortly after the accident. Air India clarified that this process is not designed to reduce compensation, but to properly disburse funds to those most in need. A Facilitation Centre was established in Ahmedabad to assist families, offering the questionnaire online, by email, and in person with staff support. The airline stated that completing the questionnaire is optional, and families can seek legal counsel if desired. Interim compensation has been disbursed to several families, and Air India is actively working to release funds to the remaining bereaved families. The airline highlighted its commitment to transparency and assisting the affected families, with the Tata Group also providing additional ex-gratia payments. Air India urged the public to remain cautious of misinformation and to avoid misinterpreting facts.
